Feed mechanism for fueling systems



Jan. 29, 1935. D. VAN LAW 1,989,345

FEED MECHANISM FOR FUELING SYSTEMS Filed July 5, 1952 BY W v z/1241217,,

ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 29, 1935 This invention relates to-r-feed-.-mechanism in mechanical fueling apparatus for furnaces and the like, its main object"beingtoxprovide a simple and efficient means'for evenly-:removing .finel'y divided coal from a supply-bin ands-feeding itto a fan or other -element'bywhichit is cohveyedto the ,fire-chamberfoflthe furnace. Other objects are to be found in details of construction and in a novel arrangement and combination of parts as will be fully set forth in the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, in which like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the views, Figure 1 represents a partially broken plan-view of an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 a sectional side-elevation of the same, Figure 3 an enlarged section along the line 3--3 of Figure 1, Figure 4 an enlarged section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, Figure 5, a section on the line 5-5, Figure 3, and Figure 6 a section along the line 6-6, Figure 3.

A supply bin 5 having feed-holes 6 in its cover plate, has inwardly slanting sides for the supply of coal to a feed-element in accordance with the present invention.

This feed-element comprises an endless chain 7 slanting upwardly in the bottom portion of the bin and supported by sprocket wheels 8 and 9.

The sprocket wheels are enclosed in housings l0 and 12 outside the bin. The housing rotatably supports the sprocket wheel 8 at the upper or discharge-end of the conveyor and has an opening 13 to pass the coal delivered by the conveyor, to the combustion chamber of a furnace or the like by means of a fan or other suitable device. The housing 10 also has a door-closed opening 14 to afford access to the chain. The sprocket wheel 9 at the lower end of the conveyor is mounted for rotation inside its housing 12, by means of a shaft 15, and this shaft connects through the intermediary gearing 16 with a conveniently placed motor 1'7. The upper and lower stretches of the chain move through tubular casings 18 and 19 inside the bin. These casings are at their ends mounted on the front and rear sides of the bin, in register with openings in said sides, and the lower casing has in its upper portion a feed-opening 20 through which coal in the bin, falls upon the chain to be conveyed upwardly to the point of delivery in the housing.

Outside the bin, the casings are continued by tubular sections 21 connecting with the housing 10. The inner and outer sections of the casings ms. MECHANISM For: mannerisms Durbin VanLayvQDenVer, Colo., assignor, mesne 1" f I assignments, tov Powderco Inci, I enver,"Colo.,f'

fa corporatihn of-Colorado July 5, issaseri i No. 620,312, fzwa m 28%?) of a reductionare screwed into-a head: 22 on the front-side of thebin, and by forming'the sections with left and right handscrew-threads respectivelyyzthe casing may be used-as a; mediumto tensionrthe chain and maintain It willbeiapparent that'in the use'fofr-the invention, the lower stretch of the chainionly'func tions as a conveying medium. The coal in the bin passes into a portion of the chain through the feed-opening 20 in the lower-casing 19, and with the exception of this portion, the chain is entirely protected against contact of the coal within the bin.

Wear of the chain is thus reduced to the minimum and a uniform feed of coal to the point of delivery is assured. The load of the chain is discharged immediately after it reaches the housing and the amount carried over the sprocket onto the upper stretch of the chain is negligible.

While the above described invention is particularly adapted for use in association with mechanical fueling apparatus, it will be apparent that the feed-mechanism may be effectively emit'in a taut condition.

ployed for the conveyance of materials other of the wheels, casings inside the bin, enclosing upper and lower stretches of the conveyor, one of the casings having an opening for the passage of contents of the bin, onto the conveyor, and casings for the conveyor outside the bin, supporting one of the supports, said outer casings being mounted for longitudinal adjustment, whereby to vary the distance of the support from the bin.

2. Feed mechanism of the character described comprising a bin and, in the lower portion thereof, an endless conveyor, rotary wheels supporting the conveyor outside the bin, a movable support for one of the wheels, casings inside the bin, enclosing upper and lower stretches of the conveyor, one of the casings having an opening for the passage of contents of the bin, onto the conveyor,'and casings for the conveyor outside the bin, in screwthread connection with the bin and with the movable support, whereby the position of the support relative to the bin, may be adjusted by rotation of the casings.

cornpr ising a bin and, in the lower portion thereof, an endless conveyor, rotary wheels supporting of, an endless conveyor, rotary wheels support- 6. Feed mechanism of the character described conveYor outside the bin.

8. Feed mechanism of the character described comprising a, bin, heads in opposite sides of the bin having openings for the passage of a conveyor, 

